Domantas Sabonis’ season is officially over as it was reported today that the Kings center underwent season-ending surgery to repair the torn meniscus in his left knee. Sabonis had suffered the injury early in the season and subsequently missed 27 games before returning to action in a limited capacity. With Sacramento’s season going nowhere fast, it makes sense for Sabonis to focus on getting his knee healthy for the future instead of continuing to try to fight through any pain. The Kings recently did the same thing with Zach Lavine as well.
We’ve seen Sabonis be a veritable iron man over the last three seasons, playing through multiple ailments including a broken thumb, but this season has been a nightmare for both Sabonis and the Kings, and he ended up playing just 19 games. Sabonis was a big name in trade rumors leading up to the deadline, and it’s possible we’ve seen him play his last game with the Kings if those trade talks heat up once again this summer. If this is how it ends, it’s an ignoble end to a player who once brought so much hope to this franchise.
In other injury news, the Kings also announced that rookie center Dylan Cardwell suffered an ankle injury in practice and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. Cardwell, an undrafted rookie from Auburn, has been a bright spot in an otherwise bleak season, averaging 5.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 21.2 minutes per game. Cardwell recently signed a multi-year standard NBA contract with the Kings after being promoted from a two-way contract. With no Sabonis or Cardwell, we can expect the Kings to give fellow rookie Maxime Raynaud plenty of playing time down the stretch.
Keegan Murray, who hasn’t played since January 4th after suffering an ankle sprain, did return to practice in full and hopes to return to action for the Kings in tomorrow’s game against the Orlando Magic. Murray has also played just 19 games this season, but hopefully can be a bit more active down the stretch. De’Andre Hunter also returned to practice after missing the last few games after getting poked in the eye and should be available in the near future.
The Kings have 26 games remaining and currently sport the NBA’s worst record at 12-44. For all our sakes, this season can’t end soon enough.